|
In wood processing, there is no tool as useful and ubiquitous as the wood chipper. They are used to reduce the size of tree trunks and limbs, which can be useful for recycling and repurposing. The size reduction also makes the transportation of raw materials much easier. They are available in a variety of sizes.
The industrial version of this machine is larger than the residential counterparts used in yard work.
The material is usually fed into the machine via a chute, which guides the material to the blades that do the bulk of the work. Their basic construction includes a hopper, to distribute the organic material to the device that breaks it down, and a storage bin to hold the chips afterwards. The blades inside are generally rectangular and known as flails. They are composed of high grade steel blended with a little chromium in order to increase their durability and hardness. The main benefit of choosing a wood chipper is how quickly and efficiently it operates. The alternative of breaking down wood with axes or human labor is a much slower and less effective process. Usually, a wood chipper has a setting that can be changed to determine the size of the output that is created. Frequently, these machines are portable. Wheels paired with a sturdy frame allow them to be towed from location to location in order to serve where they are needed. There are also stationary options available.
There are some that are large enough to handle the processing of entire trees or branches, rather than smaller pieces of wood that need to be recycled. There are electric and gas powered versions, but the larger the machine, the more likely it is to require gas.
There are a few different types available, including the screw type, drum, and disc. The type of cutting mechanism is how the different models get their names. Deciding the type and size of the wood chipper requires some consideration and depends upon the work that needs to be performed. The number of blades will typically impact the effectiveness of the machine. More blades equate to easier cutting and lower levels of stress on the engine. The reduction ration, or amount that materials will be reduced after being fed through the machine, is another detail to keep in mind when purchasing this type of equipment.
A wood chipper with a drum is excellent for loads that are large and fibrous. Inside the horizontal drum, blades are affixed at regular intervals. By rotating the materials that are put into it, the blades break them down. The output will not have a uniform size. One of the downsides to this type of machine is that the process of rotating the drum requires a lot more energy than other alternatives. The disc design has a blade attached at a 45 degree angle that spins to break down branches with smaller diameters. These are not as well suited to fibrous loads. The screw creates uniform pieces, and even draws the material into the machine, but In order to produce a different size, the screw needs to be replaced.
Some have extra features, like an automatic feed mode. Sometimes, the rollers on the automatic feed can be set to reverse if they feel the resistance of a jam or blockage. Frequently, chippers are equipped with a feed stop bar that prevents machine operators from being pulled into danger. Like any industrial machine, it is important to exercise the utmost care during their operation in order to avoid preventable injuries.
|
